Abstract
Modern ventilators are capable of graphically displaying pressure, volume and flow. Scalar waveforms refer to the real-time display of pressure, flow or volume plotted over time. Loops are the real-time display of pressure with volume or flow with volume. Scalar waveforms are analyzed by examining the phases of a mechanical breath while loops are analyzed examining the shape and characteristics of the curves during inspiration and exhalation. Clinical applications of these waveforms include: (1) identifying the mode of ventilation, (2) recognizing and measuring respiratory system mechanics, (3) patient-ventilator interactions, and (4) trouble-shooting suboptimal ventilator performance. Mode of ventilation is identified by examining the breath pattern and the breath sequence. During volume-controlled ventilation, changes in lung mechanics are recognized by changes in the pressure waveform and changes while, with pressure-controlled ventilation changes in lung mechanics are analyzed by examining the changes in flow waveform and tidal volume changes. Patient-ventilator interactions are evaluated by the level of synchrony or asynchrony between patient efforts and ventilator breaths. Ventilator performance is examined by evaluating the expected output of pressure, flow and volume and determining the reason for the expected output to be suboptimal.
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Venkataraman, S.T., Kuch, B.A. (2022). Ventilator Graphics. In: Sarnaik, A.P., Venkataraman, S.T., Kuch, B.A. (eds) Mechanical Ventilation in Neonates and Children. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83738-9_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83738-9_9
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